Mutations in drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and associated treatment outcomes

Mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) genes may influence treatment outcomes in affected patients. We identified mutations in rpoB , katG and inhA genes of MTB, causing resistance to first-line anti-TB drugs, and evaluated their association with the treatment-outcomes in patients. Mutations were recorded as detected by line probe assay from 2017 to 2023. Treatment-outcomes of TB patients were retrieved from the Ni-kshay portal. The rpoB S531L mutation was the most frequent among patients with successful treatment outcomes, however, it was the only variant predominantly associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Incorporating drug-resistance gene testing routinely may help therapeutic dose adjustments and improve patient outcomes.